Black male voters react to presidential debate, with some saying they’re on the fence

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Black males are a group of voters targeted by both parties this election cycle. It’s a group of voters Republicans say could be in play, and one that Democrats need to keep the White House.

Thousands of members of one of the nation’s largest black fraternities, Omega Psi Phi, are in Tampa this weekend for their 84th Grand Conclave: A Conclave with a Purpose.

There’s been public opinion polls saying there’s a larger numbers of black men voters up for grabs now than in previous elections.

“I’d be very surprised to see if Joe Biden ends up being the actual Democratic nominee,” one man said.

“I didn’t really feel like I got a clear vision from either side,” another said.

“It was a pony show for Trump,” one man said.

An NBC News Poll from January showed 75% of black registered voters would support President Biden in 2024. Former President Trump saw an increase from 2020, with 16% of black voters saying they would back him.

The Omega Men shed light on what they thought each candidate had done for black voters in their terms. Many of their concerns lie around the economy.

“One of the biggest things I would look for is someone that’s willing to support a small business overall,” said one man who owns a food truck and other small businesses.

“Trump did some things with HBCUs,” another man said. “I got to give him credit for what he did. You have to have a palpable taste to fully swallow Donald Trump as an African American male.”

During the debate, we heard the candidates go back and forth on their views of supporting Black voters.

“More small Black businesses have been started than any time in history,” Biden said.

“He caused the inflation, and it’s killing Black families and Hispanic families and just about everybody,” Trump said.

Whether red, blue, or purple, these men said they know they have a voice in this year’s race.

“A lot of Black men sometimes tend to not want to go out and vote because of their political beliefs or a lack of political beliefs,” one man said. “I think yes, we should be a focal point, but not the focal point. We show up. No matter where our views are, whatever direction we want to go, we vote, we exercise our right that we fought so hard for to vote.”

We spoke to an Omega who plans to vote Republican. He said he’s seen all he’s needed to see from Trump.

“I think that he’s done a pretty decent job for the Black voters,” he said. “And I think he’ll still win some older Black folks, as well as the young people. As far as the Black male veterans, and veterans in general, I think he did a phenomenal job.”

Some Omegas tell us they are on the fence for who to vote for come November.

“There’s been a lot of ‘he said, he said’,” one man said.

“I’ve leaned towards the Democratic Party for many years. However, the Republican Party and my conservative ways have been speaking more towards me,” another Omega said.

“The goal of the President is to bring both parties together on one accord. And I think that, with the adversity and things are going on in the nation, I think President Biden is doing an outstanding job,” this Omega said.

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